Published on: October 28, 2025, 09:16h.
Updated on: October 28, 2025, 09:16h.
- Construction at Two Kings Casino Resort is ongoing
- The final beam was placed on the 24-story hotel this week
- Projected opening for the North Carolina casino is in spring 2027
A new casino is set to debut in North Carolina. The $1 billion initiative celebrated a topping-off ceremony this week, marking the installation of the final beam atop the 24-story hotel tower.
After two decades of development, the Catawba Nation found a suitable partner in Delaware North, following numerous legal and financial hurdles. This collaboration began in May 2024.
As a well-established hospitality and gaming firm, Delaware North had been a consultant on the casino plans for years and stepped in to become the tribe’s financial and operational partner after the previous arrangement with North Carolina businessman Wallace Cheves fell through.
Rapid advancement on the $1 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort has taken place since May 2024. Located about 35 miles west of Charlotte, this resort is situated just off Interstate 85 at Exit 5.
Topping Off the Hotel
Tribal leaders celebrated the placement of the final beam on Monday, marking the completion of the hotel, which will have 385 rooms and suites.
“We are not just observing a construction project; we are part of a significant moment in our history,” expressed Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris.
“This last beam symbolizes not just a building but the resurgence of a nation,” Harris proclaimed.
The Catawba Nation, based in Rock Hill, SC, has been relying on construction-related activities for economic stability. The Catawba Corporations consist of various subsidiaries focused on engineering, information technology, maintenance, security, and professional services. The tribe’s economy has also benefited from the temporary Two Kings Casino since July 2021.
The modular casino currently hosts over 1,100 slot machines, electronic table game options, 14 live dealer table games, and sports betting kiosks.
The new permanent facility will be significantly larger, featuring 4,300 slot machines, 100 table games, and a sportsbook. The temporary casino will eventually function as a gaming area designated for smoking.
The resort will include 10 dining options and bars, a parking garage, and will generate approximately 2,200 jobs. The grand opening of the permanent casino is targeted for spring 2027.
Tribal Casinos in NC
North Carolina is home to two existing tribal casinos, both operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, situated about 100 miles from the site of Two Kings.
Though the Catawba Nation has historical ties to South Carolina, the tribe successfully argued its historical connections to Kings County, North Carolina. In 2020, the U.S. government placed 16.5 acres of land from Kings Mountain into trust, where the tribe is currently constructing its casino resort.
South Carolina has declined to engage in a Class III gaming compact with the Catawba, the sole federally recognized tribe in the state. Such a compact is necessary for operations involving slot machines and live dealer games.
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribes are permitted to conduct only Class I and II gaming without a state compact on their sovereign lands, which encompasses limited games of chance such as pull tabs and bingo.